The Running Dream

by Wendelin Van Draanen
Lexile:  650
Genre:  Realistic Fiction

Jessica is a runner.  It's all she does.  It's all she wants to do.  It's who she is.  Until a terrible accident occurs during the spring of her junior year in high school.  The accident takes the life of a teammate and takes Jessica's leg.  With the loss of her leg, goes all of the hopes and dreams she had of future running events and for awhile, her sprit disappears too.  But with the help of a supportive family and amazing friends, Jessica is able to overcome this loss and thrive in spite of it.